MLB team reports: Where the Red Sox, Nationals, Diamondbacks stand.
Despite winning 93 games and the American League East two years in a row, 2017 was disappointing in Boston, leading to manager John Farrell’s firing and rookie manager Alex Cora taking over. The Red Sox have yet to fill their most glaring need — a power bat in the middle of the lineup, which finished last in the AL with 168 home runs, compared to the Yankees’ leagueleading 241. Despite Boston’s winter-long flirtation with J.D. Martinez, its only significant move has been re-signing first baseman Mitch Moreland. Special correspondent Maureen Mullen takes an inside look at the team. (*prospect)
Catcher
Christian Vazquez and Sandy Leon handled all the starts behind the plate last season, split fairly evenly, at 85 and 77, respectively, career highs for both. That could change this season, with Vazquez, who missed the 2015 season because of Tommy John surgery, poised to take on a bigger role. Blake Swihart, the 26th overall pick in 2011 who appeared in six major league games last season, could provide depth.
Depth chart: Vazquez, Leon, Swihart, Dan Butler, *Jordan Procyshen
First base
In his first season with Boston, Moreland exceeded most expectations. He hit .246 with 22 home runs (one shy of his season best), setting career highs with 149 games played, 576 plate appearances, 73 runs, 34 doubles and 57 walks. A Gold Glove finalist, Moreland is expected to be the 2018 starter. Hanley Ramirez was expected to start against lefties last season, but he made 17 starts at first, the same number as Sam Travis, who made his big-league debut last season. Highly regarded prospects Michael Chavis and Josh Ockimey could help this season. Depth chart: Moreland, Ramirez, *Travis, *Chavis, *Ockimey
Second base
Dustin Pedroia, Boston’s cornerstone since being named Rookie of the Year in 2007, is expected to miss the first two months of the season after having left knee surgery in October. Until then, Boston can choose from in-house options Brock Holt (attempting to rebound from two seasons marred by injuries, including concussions), Marco Hernandez, Deven Marrero and minor leaguers Tzu-Wei Lin, Chad De La Guerra and Esteban Quiroz. Depth chart: Pedroia, Holt, Hernandez, Marrero, *Lin, *De La Guerra, *Quiroz
Third base
Rafael Devers, 21, was one of 10 Red Sox players to see time at third base in 2017. Although he has room to grow offensively and defensively, he provided much-needed production at the position, which finished last in the AL with a .677 OPS. The Red Sox have several depth options on the 40-man roster, including Chavis. Depth chart: Devers, Holt, Hernandez, Marrero, *Lin, *Chavis
Shortstop
Xander Bogaerts, 25, enters 2018 as the primary shortstop for the fifth consecutive season. In that time he leads major league shortstops with 333 runs. He saw a drop-off last season — batting .273 with a career-high 17 errors — as he battled a right hand injury after he was hit by a pitch in July. But he rebounded to hit .321 in 20 games at the end of the season, including a nine-game hitting streak. Depth chart: Bogaerts, Holt, Hernandez, Marrero, *Lin, *De La Guerra
Left field
Andrew Benintendi, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up, is one-third of Boston’s young, exciting outfield. He secured a position that had been in flux over the previous few years. He was fourth on the team with 20 homers, although his production dipped at the end of the season, perhaps a byproduct of his first full major league season. Swihart, who hasn’t played left field since severely spraining his left ankle in June 2016, could pitch in. Travis could be in the mix as could Danny Mars, a 2014 sixth-round pick who played at AA last season.
Depth chart: Benintendi, Holt Brentz, Swihart, *Travis, *Mars
Center field
Jackie Bradley is one of the best defensive players in the game, although his offense fell off in 2017 from his 2016 AllStar season. His name was frequently heard in offseason trade rumors. Boston is lacking depth at this position. Joseph Monge and Cole Sturgeon were at AA last season. Rusney Castillo remains the enigma. He is entering the fifth year of his seven-year, $72.5 million contract but is off the 40-man roster.
Depth chart: Bradley, Benintendi, Holt, *Monge, *Sturgeon, Castillo
Right field
Mookie Betts, the 2016 AL MVP runner-up, is one of the most dynamic players in the game, although his production fell off last season. If healthy, Holt could return to his super-utility role. Bryce Brentz, the 2010 first-round pick whose career appeared to stall in the minors, led the International League with 31 homers in 120 games last season. Aneury Tavarez has played parts of the last three seasons at AAA and could be called to help if needed. Depth chart: Betts, Holt, Brentz, *Tavarez
Designated hitter
If Boston signs Martinez, the job is his. If not, Ramirez gets the job. And if Boston signs Martinez (or a similar bat), how will Ramirez react? He needs 497 plate appearances in 2018 for his $22 million option for 2019 to vest. But in 108 games as the DH in 2017, Ramirez hit 19 homers and 55 RBI. If the Red Sox bring in someone else as the primary DH, what do they do with Ramirez? They would likely have to eat most of his $22.75 million salary for 2018 to trade him, or they could release him. Bentz, who has 34 games of major league experience, none since 2016, could help, as could Travis.
Depth chart: Ramirez, Moreland, Brentz, *Travis
Rotation
In his first year in Boston, Chris Sale met the lofty expectations, finishing second in Cy Young voting, going 17-8 with a 2.90 ERA, leading the majors with 2141⁄ innings and 308 strikeouts. Limited 3 by injuries, David Price made 11 starts, and Rick Porcello followed up his 2016 Cy Young Award by going 11-17 (4.65). They will be joined by Drew Pomeranz, who went 17-6 (3.32) in his second season in Boston. Beyond that, the depth is uncertain. Eduardo Rodriguez is returning from offseason surgery on his right knee, which had become a chronic issue for him. Knuckleballer Steven Wright’s status is uncertain. Wright, who made five starts in 2017, is also returning from knee surgery. But he could potentially face discipline after an offseason arrest in Tennessee in a domestic assault case. Brian Johnson and Hector Velazquez are the only other pitchers on the 40-man roster who made starts last season. Prospects Jalen Beeks, RHP Justin Haley and RHP Mike Shawaryn could be called on to help. Depth chart: LHP Sale, LHP Price, RHP Porcello, LHP Pomeranz, LHP Rodriguez, RHP Wright, RHP Velazquez, LHP Johnson, *LHP Beeks, *RHP Haley, RHP Shawaryn
Bullpen
A strength last season, the bullpen should be impressive again in 2018. Closer Craig Kimbrel recorded 35 saves, third in the AL, with a major league-leading 1.43 ERA. He struck out 126 of 254 (49.6%) of batters he faced. Matt Barnes was solid in the late innings. Joe Kelly worked exclusively out of the bullpen for the first time in his career, making 54 starts but appearing to tire in the second half. Heath Hembree and Johnson are out of options and will fight for jobs in spring training. Robby Scott was solid against lefties. Carson Smith, who made 10 appearances last season, including two in the postseason, following Tommy John elbow surgery, could take back the setup role for which he was acquired in December 2015. RHP Tyler Thornburg is an unknown after missing all of 2017 and is returning from June surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. LHP Roenis Elias, RHP Austin Maddox, and Velazquez offer depth, while prospects LHP Williams Jerez, LHP Bobby Poyner and RHP Ty Buttrey could be called to help.
Depth chart: RHP Kimbrel, RHP Smith, RHP Barnes, RHP Kelly, RHP Hembree, LHP Scott, LHP Johnson, LHP Elias, RHP Velazquez, RHP Maddox,* LHP Jerez, *LHP Poyner, *RHP Buttrey